While having a robust and polished profile on LinkedIn is essential, the real power of LinkedIn is derived from using it to build relationships, showcase expertise and open doors to new opportunities. Whether you're exploring new career paths or deepening industry connections, actively engaging on LinkedIn can significantly amplify your professional presence.
Engage with your network.
If you’ve read part one of this piece, odds are you’ve built a solid foundation with your detailed profile and healthy list of connections. The next step is to take a few minutes every day or so to engage with your network. Even small actions, done regularly, can have a lasting impact on your professional growth. Comment on posts, share articles and offer your expertise. With a minimal amount of effort, you can stand out from the crowd, while also staying in touch with your network and updating them on your current projects and passions.
Join groups.
There are many benefits to joining LinkedIn groups. They help you connect with other individuals in the industry and provide a platform for sharing ideas and advice. Join groups that match your interests (click “My Network” and select “Groups” on the left-hand side of the page) and actively participate in them. In addition to building your industry authority, you’ll be showcasing your knowledge to potential employers and recruiters. Even if a recruiter doesn’t find you through a search, they may be involved in the same groups as you, helping them gain a better understanding of your interests and career path and connecting you for future potential opportunities.
Build credibility through recommendations and endorsements.
LinkedIn offers two ways to lend credibility to talents and successes: recommendations and skill endorsements. If you’ve worked with specific individuals in the past who can vouch for your capabilities, consider asking them for a recommendation. Depending on the nature of your working relationship, you may want to initiate this ask in person or via a phone call/email first. To then request a recommendation, navigate to your profile, scroll down to the "Recommendations" section, click the plus button and then "Ask for a recommendation." Select your connection, specify your working relationship and provide a personal note for additional context. Be specific about what you'd like them to highlight – perhaps a successful project you completed together or specific skills they've observed. Aim to gather recommendations from diverse sources: supervisors, colleagues and clients can all offer unique perspectives.
Skill endorsements also help validate your expertise and improve your visibility in LinkedIn searches. To manage your skills, go to your profile's "Skills & Endorsements" section and click "Add a new skill" or reorder existing ones. Prioritize skills that align with your current career goals and industry keywords. Pro tip: LinkedIn allows you to pin your top three skills at the top of this section; choose these strategically as they're the first ones visitors see.
Leverage job search features.
There are a variety of features and tools available on LinkedIn to help you connect with recruiters and land your next role. Most recruiters use LinkedIn to help find potential candidates, making the "Open to Work" feature especially beneficial. Click the “Open to” button under your profile photo to provide details on the type of roles you are interested in. You can adjust your settings to show this information to either just recruiters or to all LinkedIn members. Additionally, if you’re actively seeking a new role, ensure you’re taking advantage of the job search function to proactively search for positions and access additional features such as the ability to directly message recruiters.
Track your profile performance.
LinkedIn's analytics section offers useful insights to help you adjust and optimize your profile. While the depth of data is based on your settings, it includes who has viewed your profile, how often you’ve appeared in search results and the industries your viewers work in. Use this information to understand if your profile is being discovered by the right people. Pay attention to spikes in profile views, which often happen after you update your headline or share industry-related posts. If you're not getting the visibility you want, it might be time to refresh your keywords or boost your activity on the platform.
By taking time each week to engage with your network, share your expertise and participate in industry discussions, you'll build your brand and nurture relationships that can last throughout your entire career. Make sure to also view part one for tips on building and enhancing your LinkedIn profile.